Utility of Early Postoperative DWI to Assess the Extent of Resection of Adult-Type World Health Organization Grade 2 and 3 Diffuse Gliomas.

Background And Purpose: World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 and 3 diffuse gliomas account for approximately 5% of primary brain tumors. They are invasive and infiltrative tumors and have considerable morbidity, causing progressive neurologic deterioration. The mean survival time is <10 years from diagnosis.

Targets in the Tumour Matrisome to Promote Cancer Therapy Response.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of complex fibrillar proteins, proteoglycans, and macromolecules, generated by stromal, immune, and cancer cells. The components and organisation of the matrix evolves as tumours progress to invasive disease and metastasis. In many solid tumours, dense fibrotic ECM has been hypothesised to impede therapy response by limiting drug and immune cell access.

Evaluation of severe traumatic brain injury referrals to the National Tertiary Neurosurgical Centre in the Republic of Ireland.

Background: Transfer of all severe TBI patients to a neurosurgical unit (NSU) has been advocated irrespective of levels of complexity and prognostic factors. Previous publications have suggested that only 50% of severe TBI patients in Ireland were managed in NSUs.

Aims: This study aims to audit severe TBI referrals to the National Neurosurgical Centre, to evaluate reasons for nonacceptance, assess for differences in the transferred and not transferred cohorts and to analyse observed and expected mortality rates.

Outcomes following poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a prospective observational study.

Background: Up to 35% of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) cases may present as poor grade, defined as World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grades IV and V. In this study, we evaluate functional outcomes and prognostic factors.

Methods: This prospective study included all patients referred to a national, centralized neurosurgical service with a diagnosis of poor-grade aSAH between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2019.

Risk factor synergism in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 5-10% of strokes but a disproportionately large amount of stroke-related morbidity. Several risk factors have been described, including smoking, hypertension, increasing age, and female sex.

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined all patients with aSAH within a nationally representative catchment from 01/01/2017 to 31/12/2020.

Meningioma in the elderly.

Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial neoplasm, accounting for approximately 40% of all primary brain tumors. The incidence of meningioma increases with age to 50 per 100,000 in patients older than 85. As the population ages, an increasing proportion of meningioma patients are elderly.

WITHDRAWN: Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematoma-A New Treatment Paradigm?

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/10.

Intramolecular Force Mapping at Room Temperature.

Acquisition of dense, three-dimensional, force fields with intramolecular resolution via noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) has yielded enormous progress in our ability to characterize molecular and two-dimensional materials at the atomic scale. To date, intramolecular force mapping has been performed exclusively at cryogenic temperatures, due to the stability afforded by low temperature operation, and as the carbon monoxide functionalization of the metallic scanning probe tip, normally required for submolecular resolution, is only stable at low temperature. In this paper we show that high-resolution, three-dimensional force mapping of a single organic molecule is possible even at room temperature.

Predictive factors for pre-intervention rebleeding in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rebleeding before intervention is a devastating complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). It often occurs early and is associated with poor outcomes. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify potential predictors of rebleeding in aSAH.

LITTing up Gliomas-Is the Future Bright?

Background: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) represents an attractive therapeutic strategy for several intracranial pathologies; however, there is a paucity of literature regarding its efficacy for the treatment of gliomas.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception until March 19, 2021. Studies specifically relating to the use of LITT in treatment of glioma were eligible for inclusion.

Management of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systematic Review and Component Network Meta-analysis of 455 Studies With 103 645 Cases.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition with a high risk of recurrence after treatment.

Objective: To assess and compare the risk of recurrence, morbidity, and mortality across various treatments for CSDH.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed.

Prevalence of incidental intracranial findings on magnetic resonance imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: As the volume and fidelity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain increase, observation of incidental findings may also increase. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of various incidental findings.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCOPUS were searched from inception to May 24, 2021.

A single centre retrospective analysis of short- and medium-term outcomes using the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device and identification of the device-to-aneurysm volume ratio as a potential predictor of aneurysm occlusion status.

Background: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is a potential treatment option in patients with wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs). We analysed our WEB device outcomes (occlusion rates and complications) and studied factors that may predict aneurysm occlusion status at short- and medium-term follow-up.

Methods: 4 patients with ruptured and unruptured aneurysms underwent treatment with the WEB device over a 5-year period.

Disruption of pancreatic stellate cell myofibroblast phenotype promotes pancreatic tumor invasion.

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), differentiation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) into myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can both promote and suppress tumor progression. Here, we show that the Rho effector protein kinase N2 (PKN2) is critical for PSC myofibroblast differentiation. Loss of PKN2 is associated with reduced PSC proliferation, contractility, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) stress fibers.

S100B, GFAP, UCH-L1 and NSE as predictors of abnormalities on CT imaging following mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Biomarkers such as calcium channel binding protein S100 subunit beta (S100B), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) have been proposed to aid in screening patients presenting with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). As such, we aimed to characterise their accuracy at various thresholds. MEDLINE, SCOPUS and EMBASE were searched, and articles reporting the diagnostic performance of included biomarkers were eligible for inclusion.

Derivation of a Clinical Score for Prediction of Recurrence Following Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study at a National Referral Centre.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common pathology, and recurrence is a common complication, which may be predicted by certain patient and radiologic factors. Empiric radiologic surveillance has been shown to convey no benefit.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively collated database was performed.

First Report of a Multicenter Prospective Registry of Cranioplasty in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Background: There are many questions that remain unanswered regarding outcomes following cranioplasty including the timing of cranioplasty following craniectomy as well as the material used.

Objective: To establish and evaluate 30-d outcomes for all cranial reconstruction procedures in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland through a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Methods: Patients undergoing cranioplasty insertion or revision between June 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019 in 25 neurosurgical units were included.

Complications of Cranioplasty in Relation to Material: Systematic Review, Network Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

Background: Cranioplasty is a ubiquitous neurosurgical procedure consisting of reconstruction of a pre-existing calvarial defect. Many materials are available, including polymethylmethacrylate in hand-moulded (hPMMA) and prefabricated (pPMMA) form, hydroxyapatite (HA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and titanium (Ti).

Objective: To perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the relationship between materials and complications of cranioplasty.

The 'swirl sign' as a marker for haematoma expansion and outcome in intra-cranial haemorrhage: A meta-analysis.

The 'swirl sign' is a CT imaging finding associated with haematoma expansion and poor prognosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine its prognostic value. PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched until 16/12/2020 for related articles.

Beyond magnification and illumination: preliminary clinical experience with the 4K 3D ORBEYE™ exoscope and a literature review.

Background: The operating microscope (OM) is an invaluable tool in neurosurgery but is not without its flaws. The ORBEYE™ (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) is a 4K 3D exoscope aspiring to offer similar visual fidelity but with superior ergonomics. 2D visualisation was a major limitation of previous models which newer 3D exoscopes attempt to overcome.

Complications of cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a common neurosurgical intervention for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as malignant stroke, malignancy and infection. DC necessitates subsequent cranioplasty. There are significant demographic differences between TBI and non-TBI patients undergoing cranioplasty, which may influence their relative risk profiles for infection, aseptic bone flap resorption (aBFR) and re-operation.